Three-dimensional probe apparatus

Abstract

An ultrasound probe includes an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a distal housing; a transducer having a transducing surface, the transducer pivotally disposed in the housing and configured so that the transducing surface is capable of selectively rotating between a first position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second position at least collinear with the longitudinal axis; a transmission unit coupled to the transducer to rotate the transducer between the first and second positions; and a location detector coupled to the transmission unit to provide a signal corresponding to an orientation of the transducer between the first and second positions.

1 . A three-dimensional probe apparatus comprising:
 a drive unit configured to generate power in a forward or rearward direction;   a power transmission unit configured to transmit the power generated by the drive unit;   a transducer configured to receive the power from the power transmission unit to rotate to a location based on the received power; and   a location detector configured to detect the location of the transducer.   
     
     
         2 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the location detector comprises a first detection member coupled to the power transmission unit and configured to move to a location based on the location of the transducer. 
     
     
         3 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the location detector further comprises a second detection member configured to determine the location of the transducer based on the location of the first detection member. 
     
     
         4 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first detection member is magnetized and the second detection member comprises a sensor capable of sensing magnetism of the first detection member. 
     
     
         5 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises:
 a drive motor configured to generate the power;   a driving pulley coupled to a shaft of the drive motor;   a driven pulley separated from the driving pulley; and   a belt member configured to transmit the power from the driving pulley to the driven pulley.   
     
     
         6 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the power transmission unit comprises:
 a power transmission member configured to receive the power from the drive unit;   a wire member connecting the power transmission unit to the transducer;   a first guide member configured to guide the wire member in a first direction; and   a second guide member disposed in a different direction from the first guide member and configured to guide the wire member in a second direction.   
     
     
         7 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the wire member comprises:
 a wire connected at one end to the power transmission member and at an opposite end to the transducer; and   a pin rod coupled to the wire.   
     
     
         8 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base to which the transducer is rotatably coupled.   
     
     
         10 . The three-dimensional probe apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional probe apparatus is an endocavity probe. 
     
     
         11 . An ultrasound probe comprising:
 an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a distal housing;   a transducer having a transducing surface, the transducer pivotally disposed in the housing and configured so that the transducing surface is capable of selectively rotating between a first position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second position at least collinear with the longitudinal axis;   a transmission unit coupled to the transducer to rotate the transducer between the first and second positions; and   a location detector coupled to the transmission unit to provide a signal corresponding to an orientation of the transducer between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         12 . The ultrasound probe of  claim 11 , further comprising a drive unit configured to drive the transmission unit in response to the signal. 
     
     
         13 . The ultrasound probe of  claim 12 , wherein the drive unit comprises a drive motor. 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasound probe of  claim 11 , wherein the transmission unit is configured to stop at any point between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         15 . The ultrasound probe of  claim 11 , wherein the location detector comprises a Hall effect sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The ultrasound probe of  claim 11 , wherein the location detector comprises a light emitting diode configured to emit light. 
     
     
         17 . The ultrasound probe of  claim 16 , wherein the location detector comprises an optical sensor configured to sense light emitted from the light emitting diode. 
     
     
         18 . The ultrasound probe of  claim 11 , wherein the ultrasound probe comprises an endocavity ultrasound probe.